Join the North Shore Writers Festival for an enlightening discussion with award-winning author David A. Robertson about The Misewa Saga, fantasy with Indigenous influences, and writing for young readers. With Michael Redhead Champagne, Ininew public speaker, writer, community advocate and on-screen personality.

This is a virtual program that takes place online via Zoom. You'll need a computer with microphone and speaker/headphones, or your smartphone/tablet.

Registration is required. Register by April 27 at 12:00pm. The meeting link and instructions will be emailed to registrants on the day of the event.

For more information on this event or other 2022 North Shore Writers Festival events, visit www.northshorewritersfestival.com

The North Shore Writers Festival is presented in partnership by North Vancouver City Library, North Vancouver District Public Library, and West Vancouver Memorial Library.

The Festival would not be made possible without support from:

• Friends of the Library groups from all three North Shore Libraries
• North Shore Writers’ Association
• North Shore News

If you have any questions, please reach out to nswftrivia@gmail.com

About the Presenter

About David A. Robertson

David A. Robertson is the author of numerous books for young readers, including When We Were Alone and On the Trapline (both illustrated by Julie Flett), both of which won Governor General’s Literary Award and was nominated for the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award. He is also the author an acclaimed and bestselling middle-grade fantasy series called The Misewa Saga, as well as the graphic novel Reckoner series, and the adult memoir Black Water. The Barren Grounds (first in the Misewa Saga) was a Kirkus and Quill & Quire best middle-grade book of 2020, as well as a USBBY and Texas Lone Star selection, and was shortlisted for the Silver Birch Fiction Award (as was the follow-up, The Great Bear) and the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award. A sought-after speaker and educator, Dave is a member of the Norway House Cree Nation and currently lives in Winnipeg.

About Michael Redhead Champagne

Michael Redhead Champagne inspires every time he speaks to an audience or brings his pen to the page. An Ininew public speaker, writer, community advocate and on-screen personality, his storytelling connects communities across North America and around the world. Michael’s commitment to action and solutions comes from his experiences growing up in Winnipeg’s North End, his identity as a member of Shamattawa First Nation and his connection to the child welfare system. He aims to walk his talk, revolutionize harmful systems and ensure those with lived experience design, deliver and evaluate any initiative that affects them.

Woven through his work, you’ll find the teaching of mino bimadisiwin, an Ininew phrase that roughly translated means “the good life.” This teaching and many others are reflected as he engages audiences with laughter and optimism while encouraging people to build bridges to address our most urgent challenges. His continued exploration and celebration of Indigenous cultures affirm how these philosophies have nurtured generations past and hold solutions for contemporary social issues. Michael believes that from sustainability to wellness to governance, Indigenous knowledge will save the world.

His message is one of honouring relationships, appreciating gifts and taking action. Michael’s work educates and inspires leaving people ready to move the necessary mountains to help themselves and their communities. Regularly sought after by the news media, social media content creators and podcasts for his inspiring, action-oriented take on the topics affecting youth and families. Featured on multiple TEDx Talks, APTN’s Michif Country & First Contact, Michael is also developing a number of storytelling projects to expand his hosting experience. His first children’s book, We Need Everyone, premieres with High Water Press in September 2022.

Michael's work on-stage, on-screen, on the page and in the community continue to build towards a revolution rooted in love, equity and justice.